Biologists at Columbia Environmental Research Center drawdown and seine a pond to collect reproductive pallid sturgeon. The pond has been specially designed to provide turbid, flowing water that pallid sturgeon need to thrive.
Aaron DeLonay
Aaron is an Ecologist at the Columbia Environmental Research Center.
Science and Products
CERC Eco-flume
The CERC Eco-flume is a continuous-loop, racetrack style flume. It is housed in a 1,350 square-foot laboratory at CERC and will be used to study transport phenomena and biophysical processes in river environments.
Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2018
The USGS Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project is a multi-year, interdisciplinary research study to determine factors leading to spawning and survival of the endangered pallid sturgeon and the closely related shovelnose sturgeon.
Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2021
The USGS Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project is a multi-year, interdisciplinary research study to determine factors leading to spawning and survival of the endangered pallid sturgeon and the closely related shovelnose sturgeon.
Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2020
The USGS Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project is a multi-year, interdisciplinary research study to determine factors leading to spawning and survival of the endangered pallid sturgeon and the closely related shovelnose sturgeon.
Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2019
The USGS Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project is a multi-year, interdisciplinary research study to determine factors leading to spawning and survival of the endangered pallid sturgeon and the closely related shovelnose sturgeon.
Pallid Sturgeon Early Life
CERC biologists focus on improving understanding of biomechanics of eggs, free embryos, and larvae through direct observation and measurement. An improved understanding of biomechanics – how biotic conditions and processes interact with physical processes to result in changes in survival – is necessary to create quantitative links between management actions and population-level results.
Adult Pallid Sturgeon Reproductive Ecology
CERC fish biologists study migrations, reproductive cues, and spawning behaviors of reproductive wild and hatchery-origin pallid sturgeon (HOPS) in the Missouri River Basin.
Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2016
The USGS Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project is a multi-year, interdisciplinary research study to determine factors leading to spawning and survival of the endangered pallid sturgeon and the closely related shovelnose sturgeon.
Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project (CSRP)
The Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project (CSRP) is a multidisciplinary project conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Missouri River Recovery Program–Integrated Science Program. CERC scientists are working with river scientists and managers to develop methods, baseline information, and research approaches that are critical contributions to recovery success of the...
Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2017
The USGS Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project is a multi-year, interdisciplinary research study to determine factors leading to spawning and survival of the endangered pallid sturgeon and the closely related shovelnose sturgeon.
Filter Total Items: 42
Seining for Sturgeon
Biologists at Columbia Environmental Research Center drawdown and seine a pond to collect reproductive pallid sturgeon. The pond has been specially designed to provide turbid, flowing water that pallid sturgeon need to thrive.
Pallid Sturgeon Egg Adhesion
Pallid sturgeon eggs become adhesive minutes after fertilization. Scientists are working to understand the factors that influence the adhesiveness of sturgeon eggs.
Pallid sturgeon eggs become adhesive minutes after fertilization. Scientists are working to understand the factors that influence the adhesiveness of sturgeon eggs.
Surgical Implantation of an Acoustic Telemetry Transmitter
Scientist surgically implants an acoustic transmitter in a shovelnose sturgeon to monitor spawning behavior during controlled experiments.
Scientist surgically implants an acoustic transmitter in a shovelnose sturgeon to monitor spawning behavior during controlled experiments.
Acoustic Telemetry Transmitter
Acoustic telemetry transmitter used to monitor shovelnose sturgeon and pallid sturgeon during spawning in specially constructed ponds at the Columbia Environmental Research Center.
Acoustic telemetry transmitter used to monitor shovelnose sturgeon and pallid sturgeon during spawning in specially constructed ponds at the Columbia Environmental Research Center.
Counting Free Embryo Lake Sturgeon
Researchers count out 800 eight-day old, free embryo lake sturgeon for studies of downstream dispersal in experimental streams.
Researchers count out 800 eight-day old, free embryo lake sturgeon for studies of downstream dispersal in experimental streams.
Lake Sturgeon at CERC
USGS Biologist prepares to artificially spawn a female lake sturgeon in the laboratory at the Columbia Environmental Research Center.
USGS Biologist prepares to artificially spawn a female lake sturgeon in the laboratory at the Columbia Environmental Research Center.
Adult Female Pallid Sturgeon
Female pallid sturgeon captured in the Missouri River near Boonville, MO.
Female pallid sturgeon captured in the Missouri River near Boonville, MO.
Sorting Samples
Ten minute samples from ichthyoplankton nets deployed near the bottom of the Missouri River. Samples are sorted and searched for paddlefish and sturgeon free embryos.
Ten minute samples from ichthyoplankton nets deployed near the bottom of the Missouri River. Samples are sorted and searched for paddlefish and sturgeon free embryos.
Radio Telemetry Tracking
A USGS Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project telemetry crew tracks radio telemetered pallid sturgeon in Montana.
A USGS Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project telemetry crew tracks radio telemetered pallid sturgeon in Montana.
Sidescan Sonar of the Yellowstone River
A sidescan sonar image sample shows highlighted areas of suspected gravel substrate.
A sidescan sonar image sample shows highlighted areas of suspected gravel substrate.
Substrate Arrangement Of A CERC Pond
Substrate and pond configurations are shown before being used in a study on sturgeon reproduction at CERC.
Substrate and pond configurations are shown before being used in a study on sturgeon reproduction at CERC.
Free Embryo
Free embryo sample from Missouri River.
Free embryo sample from Missouri River.
Eggs and Milt Being Mixed
Collected eggs and extracted milt mixed with water and stirred with a feather to stimulate fertilization.
Collected eggs and extracted milt mixed with water and stirred with a feather to stimulate fertilization.
Milt Collection
Milt being collected from a male Pallid Sturgeon.
Milt being collected from a male Pallid Sturgeon.
Experimental Stream Section
Researchers at the Columbia Environmental Research Center will use experimental streams with sand, gravel or cobble bottoms to help to determine the influence of the different substrates on hatch and initiation of dispersal of pallid sturgeon free-embryos.
Researchers at the Columbia Environmental Research Center will use experimental streams with sand, gravel or cobble bottoms to help to determine the influence of the different substrates on hatch and initiation of dispersal of pallid sturgeon free-embryos.
Free Embryo Sampling in the Platte and Missouri Rivers
Weekly sturgeon free embryo efforts were initiated on April 15, 2014 near the confluence of the Platte and Missouri Rivers. Pictured is biologist Jeff Beasley preparing to deploy a sampling net into the Missouri River.
Weekly sturgeon free embryo efforts were initiated on April 15, 2014 near the confluence of the Platte and Missouri Rivers. Pictured is biologist Jeff Beasley preparing to deploy a sampling net into the Missouri River.
Pallid Sturgeon in Dip Net
Biologists work together to conduct reproductive assessments on pallid sturgeon held in study ponds.
Biologists work together to conduct reproductive assessments on pallid sturgeon held in study ponds.
Pallid Sturgeon Holding Tanks
Biologists work together to conduct reproductive assessments on pallid sturgeon held in study ponds.
Biologists work together to conduct reproductive assessments on pallid sturgeon held in study ponds.
Hartsburg, MO
Missouri River ice flows past a boat ramp located near Hartsburg, MO.
Missouri River ice flows past a boat ramp located near Hartsburg, MO.
Hermann, MO
Hermann, MO boat ramp--December 2013.
Hermann, MO boat ramp--December 2013.
Male Reproductive Pallid Sturgeon
Biologist Sabrina Davenport with a reproductive male pallid sturgeon.
Biologist Sabrina Davenport with a reproductive male pallid sturgeon.
Science and Products
CERC Eco-flume
The CERC Eco-flume is a continuous-loop, racetrack style flume. It is housed in a 1,350 square-foot laboratory at CERC and will be used to study transport phenomena and biophysical processes in river environments.
Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2018
The USGS Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project is a multi-year, interdisciplinary research study to determine factors leading to spawning and survival of the endangered pallid sturgeon and the closely related shovelnose sturgeon.
Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2021
The USGS Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project is a multi-year, interdisciplinary research study to determine factors leading to spawning and survival of the endangered pallid sturgeon and the closely related shovelnose sturgeon.
Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2020
The USGS Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project is a multi-year, interdisciplinary research study to determine factors leading to spawning and survival of the endangered pallid sturgeon and the closely related shovelnose sturgeon.
Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2019
The USGS Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project is a multi-year, interdisciplinary research study to determine factors leading to spawning and survival of the endangered pallid sturgeon and the closely related shovelnose sturgeon.
Pallid Sturgeon Early Life
CERC biologists focus on improving understanding of biomechanics of eggs, free embryos, and larvae through direct observation and measurement. An improved understanding of biomechanics – how biotic conditions and processes interact with physical processes to result in changes in survival – is necessary to create quantitative links between management actions and population-level results.
Adult Pallid Sturgeon Reproductive Ecology
CERC fish biologists study migrations, reproductive cues, and spawning behaviors of reproductive wild and hatchery-origin pallid sturgeon (HOPS) in the Missouri River Basin.
Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2016
The USGS Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project is a multi-year, interdisciplinary research study to determine factors leading to spawning and survival of the endangered pallid sturgeon and the closely related shovelnose sturgeon.
Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project (CSRP)
The Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project (CSRP) is a multidisciplinary project conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Missouri River Recovery Program–Integrated Science Program. CERC scientists are working with river scientists and managers to develop methods, baseline information, and research approaches that are critical contributions to recovery success of the...
Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2017
The USGS Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project is a multi-year, interdisciplinary research study to determine factors leading to spawning and survival of the endangered pallid sturgeon and the closely related shovelnose sturgeon.
Filter Total Items: 42
Seining for Sturgeon
Biologists at Columbia Environmental Research Center drawdown and seine a pond to collect reproductive pallid sturgeon. The pond has been specially designed to provide turbid, flowing water that pallid sturgeon need to thrive.
Biologists at Columbia Environmental Research Center drawdown and seine a pond to collect reproductive pallid sturgeon. The pond has been specially designed to provide turbid, flowing water that pallid sturgeon need to thrive.
Pallid Sturgeon Egg Adhesion
Pallid sturgeon eggs become adhesive minutes after fertilization. Scientists are working to understand the factors that influence the adhesiveness of sturgeon eggs.
Pallid sturgeon eggs become adhesive minutes after fertilization. Scientists are working to understand the factors that influence the adhesiveness of sturgeon eggs.
Surgical Implantation of an Acoustic Telemetry Transmitter
Scientist surgically implants an acoustic transmitter in a shovelnose sturgeon to monitor spawning behavior during controlled experiments.
Scientist surgically implants an acoustic transmitter in a shovelnose sturgeon to monitor spawning behavior during controlled experiments.
Acoustic Telemetry Transmitter
Acoustic telemetry transmitter used to monitor shovelnose sturgeon and pallid sturgeon during spawning in specially constructed ponds at the Columbia Environmental Research Center.
Acoustic telemetry transmitter used to monitor shovelnose sturgeon and pallid sturgeon during spawning in specially constructed ponds at the Columbia Environmental Research Center.
Counting Free Embryo Lake Sturgeon
Researchers count out 800 eight-day old, free embryo lake sturgeon for studies of downstream dispersal in experimental streams.
Researchers count out 800 eight-day old, free embryo lake sturgeon for studies of downstream dispersal in experimental streams.
Lake Sturgeon at CERC
USGS Biologist prepares to artificially spawn a female lake sturgeon in the laboratory at the Columbia Environmental Research Center.
USGS Biologist prepares to artificially spawn a female lake sturgeon in the laboratory at the Columbia Environmental Research Center.
Adult Female Pallid Sturgeon
Female pallid sturgeon captured in the Missouri River near Boonville, MO.
Female pallid sturgeon captured in the Missouri River near Boonville, MO.
Sorting Samples
Ten minute samples from ichthyoplankton nets deployed near the bottom of the Missouri River. Samples are sorted and searched for paddlefish and sturgeon free embryos.
Ten minute samples from ichthyoplankton nets deployed near the bottom of the Missouri River. Samples are sorted and searched for paddlefish and sturgeon free embryos.
Radio Telemetry Tracking
A USGS Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project telemetry crew tracks radio telemetered pallid sturgeon in Montana.
A USGS Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project telemetry crew tracks radio telemetered pallid sturgeon in Montana.
Sidescan Sonar of the Yellowstone River
A sidescan sonar image sample shows highlighted areas of suspected gravel substrate.
A sidescan sonar image sample shows highlighted areas of suspected gravel substrate.
Substrate Arrangement Of A CERC Pond
Substrate and pond configurations are shown before being used in a study on sturgeon reproduction at CERC.
Substrate and pond configurations are shown before being used in a study on sturgeon reproduction at CERC.
Free Embryo
Free embryo sample from Missouri River.
Free embryo sample from Missouri River.
Eggs and Milt Being Mixed
Collected eggs and extracted milt mixed with water and stirred with a feather to stimulate fertilization.
Collected eggs and extracted milt mixed with water and stirred with a feather to stimulate fertilization.
Milt Collection
Milt being collected from a male Pallid Sturgeon.
Milt being collected from a male Pallid Sturgeon.
Experimental Stream Section
Researchers at the Columbia Environmental Research Center will use experimental streams with sand, gravel or cobble bottoms to help to determine the influence of the different substrates on hatch and initiation of dispersal of pallid sturgeon free-embryos.
Researchers at the Columbia Environmental Research Center will use experimental streams with sand, gravel or cobble bottoms to help to determine the influence of the different substrates on hatch and initiation of dispersal of pallid sturgeon free-embryos.
Free Embryo Sampling in the Platte and Missouri Rivers
Weekly sturgeon free embryo efforts were initiated on April 15, 2014 near the confluence of the Platte and Missouri Rivers. Pictured is biologist Jeff Beasley preparing to deploy a sampling net into the Missouri River.
Weekly sturgeon free embryo efforts were initiated on April 15, 2014 near the confluence of the Platte and Missouri Rivers. Pictured is biologist Jeff Beasley preparing to deploy a sampling net into the Missouri River.
Pallid Sturgeon in Dip Net
Biologists work together to conduct reproductive assessments on pallid sturgeon held in study ponds.
Biologists work together to conduct reproductive assessments on pallid sturgeon held in study ponds.
Pallid Sturgeon Holding Tanks
Biologists work together to conduct reproductive assessments on pallid sturgeon held in study ponds.
Biologists work together to conduct reproductive assessments on pallid sturgeon held in study ponds.
Hartsburg, MO
Missouri River ice flows past a boat ramp located near Hartsburg, MO.
Missouri River ice flows past a boat ramp located near Hartsburg, MO.
Hermann, MO
Hermann, MO boat ramp--December 2013.
Hermann, MO boat ramp--December 2013.
Male Reproductive Pallid Sturgeon
Biologist Sabrina Davenport with a reproductive male pallid sturgeon.
Biologist Sabrina Davenport with a reproductive male pallid sturgeon.